Table Of Contents - Chicago Transit Authority

CTA Express Airport Train Service Business Plan
such as this can balance risks and allow for cost-effective financing for the eventual build-out to full
Express Service.
CTA should immediately begin the process of establishing a partnership with a qualified provider of
transit services for the initial Direct Service. The procurement should be structured in a flexible manner
to allow for evolution of the service to the full Express Service, including the delivery of the infrastructure.
Over the next few years, CTA and its partners should also work to identify sources of funds to close the
gap that is projected to exist between the capital and financing costs of the Express Service and the
estimated financing capacity.
1.2 SERVICE DESCRIPTION
In developing the Express Airport Train Service Business Plan, case studies were completed on 21 similar
airport rail links that exist or are planned in Europe, Asia, Australia, Africa, and North America. This
research on fare levels and structures, operational characteristics, ownership structures, service offerings,
funding sources, marketing strategies, and strategic partnerships helped provide context and a basis for
the analysis of an airport train service in Chicago.
The Express Service will provide direct, non-stop rail service from a downtown Chicago station to O’Hare
and Midway airports. The initial Direct Service configuration will run closed-door service from the Loop to
each airport with the same travel times as current CTA service, but with significant comfort
enhancements. Ultimately, as additional infrastructure investments are made, shorter travel times will be
achieved.
The downtown station will be located at 108 N. State Street, a centrally located development site with
retail, office, and hotel space bounded by Randolph, Dearborn, Washington, and State Streets. Trains to
both airports are expected to have clock-face departures from the downtown station every 15 to 30
minutes for at least 16 hours per day.
The initial Direct Service would run on existing track shared with CTA Blue, Red, and Orange lines. The
travel times expected for the Direct Service are 45 minutes to O’Hare and 30 minutes to Midway. Direct
Service operations will be scheduled in-between the existing local train service on the Blue, Red, and
Orange Lines.
As funds become available, additional track would be constructed, allowing the airport trains to pass
regular service trains making intermediate passenger stops. There is also the potential for Blue and
Orange Line customers to experience improved service as a result of many of these improvements.
Ultimately, a nominal Express Service running time of 30 minutes is projected between downtown and
O’Hare Airport, while only 20 minutes will be required for travel between Midway Airport and downtown.
The airport service trains would begin and end their operating day from CTA’s existing Midway yard and
shop. Schedules developed for the business plan provide about 70 one-way trips per day (the same
schedule would be in effect seven days per week). Preliminary staffing estimates to support the ultimate
Express Service indicate a 111–person requirement (all classifications from Line Manager to customer
assistant, to train operators and mechanics have been considered). Requirements include dedicated
positions in supervision, train operations, servicing, and repairs.
6